TRAINING: Thursday 9th January 2025

Welcome back to Demonland for those like me who have been on vacation. I’m posting this with some trepidation because of a certain amount of uncertainty surrounding the return of preseason training in 2025 after a flurry of weddings including those of our coach, one of our superstar players and a former premiership champion player and bloke, not to mention the recent mysterious incident that occurred on the Mornington Peninsula. 

I believe that the team reassembles this morning at Casey Fields (fitting because it’s the closest training facility to Sorrento). At least that’s what I was led to believe from despatches in late 2024, although the fog of the festive season and new year celebrations might be playing tricks on me.

To add to my trepidation is this ominous piece of information gleaned from the MFC website:-

“Some sessions in the new year are returning to Casey Fields and due to the nature of the facility those sessions will be closed to the public, unless otherwise advertised below.”

Since I couldn’t locate any relevant information below, I can only assume that we won’t be receiving many reports from training if indeed, it proceeds today, especially given that this is the time of year when the snakes of Casey Fields come out of hibernation to congregate outside the fences of that facility.

One of our regular correspondents has used the break to make a tree disguise but I believe it has yet to be tested as snake proof. So, in case there are no reports forthcoming on today’s activities, here is a picture taken in Bali to remind you all of what some of our players look like these days.

PICKET FENCES PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Yer well Iv'e been here for 30 minutes and the most interesting thing is watching an excavator dredging out one of the lakes, slitheras going in every diection and The Mahogany ship being discovered! There was a small group of players doing "grappling"exercises for a while but looks like an indoor session in the revamped indoor training facility. Tellingly there is nothing set up on the oval for drills and the demon truck carrying training equipment is not here! Also interestingly the gates are open on far side due to maintenance work on gazeebos. But Wait a few players now coming out with footies!

Same again folks more grappling exercises Midfield only about 15 or so involved, one thing I can say Clarry looks thinner than Ive seen for a while. Ground is being marked but again unless training starts at 11.00 doubtful would think indoor session as iterated. Goody trying to avoid peeping eyes has worked if the case Iv'e been here since 9.30. Thats it for me, am unavailable for next few weeks so if anyone can attend down at Slithera City good. I'll post again in a few weeks time. P.S Ground in magnificent condition!

GHOSTWRITER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS

Strange training- only 8 on ground with one coach so far away I can’t see who they are and are only throwing the ball up and catching it. There seem to be enough cars there that would indicate they are all there. There’s no equipment out and the scoreboard is not lit up. None of the boys have numbers. They are definitely practising catching the ball though. Ps I could do what they are doing. Can’t see if it’s Goodie with the 8/9 boys. The rest must be in the gym.